Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Healty Asst.Prof.Melike Yavuz answered the frequently asked questions about COVID19 for you:
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is a Pandemic?
A pandemic is declared by the World Health Organization when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations. It is used only for contagious diseases caused by microorganisms. There must be 3 conditions for a pandemic to be declared:
I.The outbreak of a disease the population has not been previously exposed to
II.The disease causing element infecting humans and resulting in a dangerous illness
III.The disease causing element spreading easily and continuously among humans
2.What is COVID 19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals with some of them also known to infect humans. Bats are considered natural hosts of these viruses yet several other species of animals are also known to act as sources. For instance, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is transmitted to humans from camels, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) is transmitted to humans from civet cats.
3.What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
4.How long does the virus survive outside the body?
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
The American CDC states that the virus can remain stable on different kinds of surfaces within a controlled laboratory setting. It was still detectable on copper for up to four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic, paper and steel for up to 72 hours and 8 hours on plastic gloves. Therefore the frequency of disinfection should be done based on the type of material. Since the virus survives outside between 2 hours and 5 days, it is crucial to was hands correctly and frequently.
5.How is the virus transmitted?
The virus seems to be transmitted mainly via small respiratory droplets through sneezing, coughing, or when people interact with each other for some time in close proximity (usually less than one meter). These droplets can then be inhaled, or they can land on surfaces that others may come into contact with, who can then get infected when they touch their nose, mouth or eyes. Therefore, handshaking, hugging and behavior that results in close contact should be avoided.
6.Which underlying illnesses cause greater risk?
Older people (60+) and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, chronic respiratory illness, cancer patients or those receiving chemotherapy for cancer, those using immunosuppressant drugs for rheumatologic illness are more likely to develop serious illness. Also, healthcare workers are under risk of contracting the disease even if they have no underlying illnesses.
7.What should I do outdoors or in public spaces to protect myself?
Public spaces are risky in terms of contracting illness because of contact with many people (banks, public transportation, government offices, and malls).
In these spaces, unless the hands are visibly dirty, use alcohol based hand sanitizer frequently, or wash hands with soap often if hands are dirty. It will be enough to rub hands vigorously with soap and water to sanitize them. If possible use paper towels to dry hands.
Additionally:
Do not touch mouth, nose and eyes with dirty hands.
Cover mouth and nose with a single use tissue when sneezing or coughing: use the inside of your elbow if you have no tissue. The tissue should be disposed of immediately.
Stay away from crowded areas as much as possible, if it is necessary, and then ensure there is at least 1 m between people.
a.Should I wear a mask?
Those who are not sick do not need to wear masks in open spaces. Those under high risk can use a mask if they have to enter a crowded space. Masks are single use only and must be disposed of. Hands must be sanitized after disposing of the mask.
Those who have respiratory symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath should put on a mask and go to the nearest healthcare facility.
b.What should I do when entering my home after having spent time outside?
To decrease the viral load that we may bring inside on our clothing, shoes must be taken off outside and left there. Clothes should be removed prior to contact with other people and indoor clothing must be put on. Then hands and face should be washed. Clothes need to be washed with normal detergent with water warmer than 60 degrees.
c.How can I clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects?
(e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles)? What are some precautions I can take at home?
Effective disinfection begins with correct surface cleaning. It is enough to wipe surfaces off with a rag with detergent or soap. However, if the surface is very clean and it is considered risky due to contact with many people, solutions with 60-70 % alcohol or antiseptic wipes can be used after wiping the surface off with soap or detergent. Other disinfectants are not necessary under normal circumstances.
Floors, bathrooms and sinks and other important areas can be cleaned as always by diluting bleach with water. For general cleaning, adding one unit of bleach to 100 units of water, or 100 cc bleach to 10 liters of water can be used as a solution to wipe all areas, toilets and sinks. Solutions that are stronger can lead to respiratory and other illnesses.
d.What if there is someone in the house that may be infected? How can we keep other from getting sick?
Those who are sick should not take visitors. If possible, they should stay in a separate room. No one should enter their room and if necessary entrants should wear a mask. Rooms should be aired frequently; Sick people should wear a mask in the common spaces of the house. If possible they should use a separate bathroom. If not possible, then they should wear a mask in these spaces and the area should be disinfected after each use. Hand washing or hand sanitizers should be used and plates, cups, towels etc. should not be shared.
8.When do hands need to be washed?
•Hands should be washed with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, wiping nose,
•before and after preparing food,
•after touching trash or food that has gone bad,
•before and after using toilets,
•when hands are visibly dirty,
•after contact with live or dead animals,
•after using public transportation and upon coming home.
9.Is there a special kind of disinfectant I should use?
Washing hands with regular soap and water is enough as long it is done correctly.
10.Can I use ‘kolonya’, and how long will it remain effective?
‘Kolonya’ that is at least 70% alcohol will disinfect quickly, but is not permanent. Contact with dirty materials will eliminate the disinfection.
11.Are people with pets at risk of this infection?
Those with pets should wash their hands after contact to avoid illnesses that may be transmitted by animals.
12.When should I contact a healthcare provider?
If you arrived from a country where the coronavirus has been seen within the last 14 days but you don’t have a fever, cough or respiratory issues stay home for 14 days. If you have to leave your house, wear a mask and try not to use public transport.
If you have a (persistent) fever, cough and shortness of breath, make sure to put on a mask, try to avoid public transport and go to the nearest healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Since fever is an important symptom, each household should have a temperature.
Furthermore, CALL 184, the Health Ministry COVID -19 Hotline and get information about what you need to do.
13.What should I do if there are people around me with cold symptoms?
The virus enters through mucus membranes such as the mouth, nose and eyes. Therefore keeping at least one meter from such people, avoiding handshaking, hugging and other behavior that may cause close contact will prevent you from being infected.
14.Can eating certain foods protect me against this virus (e.g. lemon, orange, garlic, etc.)?
No. However, a sufficient and balanced, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep can help strengthen our immune system.
15.Is there a medicine or vaccine I can use to avoid the illness?
For the time being, there are no proven vaccines or medicines to avoid the illness. Work is underway.
16.What kind of measures are there for individuals with chronic illness to get their medicine for cardiac, diabetes or hypertension related issues?
Older individuals and those with chronic illnesses such as cardiac, diabetes and hypertension should stay home unless absolutely necessary due to the risk they carry. Regularly used medication that requires a prescription can be obtained at pharmacies without going to a healthcare provider or getting a prescription. Patients should continue using their medication.
Furth more, younger individuals have a great responsibility not to infect older more vulnerable people.
It is critical for young people to keep out of crowded spaces and not spread the disease.
We look forward to your questions to [email protected] Our expertrs will answer for you as soosn as possible.
TR
